him disappear, then scrambled to my feet, my heart hammering against my ribs. Ben. He was sti

m. No answer. I tried his personal cell. Straight to voicemail. Panic, cold and sh

iling the first cab I saw. "

dwardo's furious accusations. I knew Ben was innocent. I knew Cass

ights of an ambulance cast an eerie glow on the scene. A stretcher

an inside, my eyes scanning for any sign of Ben. A janitor

ath. "What happened here? My brot

nother accident. Someone fell from the fifth floor. Just br

Was it... was it a young

s brow. "Yeah, that's him.

ion that Ben was going to throw her off a balcony. It was a tw

y, pushing past nurses and

was there too, clinging to his arm, sobbing dramatically. Her arm, the one she'd supposedly scra

g her. While my

med, the name tear

sie flinched, burying her face deeper into his sh

die! She pushed him! She tried to kill him!" I pointed at Cassie

to blame me! After her brother attacked me, after he tried to throw me off my bal

words echoed in my ears, a cr

I could stop it. My palm connected with Edwardo' s cheek with

ell. He touched his cheek, his eyes blazin

ice hoarse. "For attempted murder! For assaul

ung open. A doctor, looking grave,

I said, my vo

en femur, internal bleeding, multiple fractures. We managed to stabilize him, but...

ee-spirited brother, crippled. Because of Edw

y vanished, replaced by cold indifference. Cassie, meanwhile, was whispering in

Edwardo, please. He's crippled. He's bro

have consequences. And Cassie's safety is my priority." He looked at the doctor. "As soon as he's stable, prepare

wardo, for God's sake! He's almost dead! He needs

be served." His voice was flat, unyi

o protect Ben. I had to. The crypto key.

o an array of machines. I found a hidden pocket sewn into the lining of his old leather jacket, the

o Steele," I said, my voice cutting through the hushed co

d. "What are you

drive. "The one she used to steal your company's data. The on

e Perez. He knew the threat. He knew the v

to protect you, Edwardo. He found out she was working wit

y. "Edwardo, she's lying!

eyes were fixed on the US

gaze sharp. "What will it take for you to ce

expression calm. I didn't feel th

diately. I want the smear campaign ended. And I want a guarantee-a written, binding

back. "And

ie Shields for her assault on my brother, provided she stays away from us. And I will grant Edwardo the divor

, respecting the

ainst the wall, a predatory smirk on his face. "So, the

didn't beg, Edwardo. I negotiated. Something you s

," he sneered. "Disa

s a difference. You are stuck here, cleanin

leaving me,"

looking at you right now-blind, arrogant, and shackled

is sneer faltering. My heart wasn't heavy. I